World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893

Chicagoans didn’t have to travel far to obtain adventure 130 years ago this month — the globe came to us. The celebration was so grand, we hosted it once more 40 years later.

The initial World’s Fair right here, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, was a miracle taking into consideration just 22 years earlier the city was in shambles following the Fantastic Chicago Fire.

But the Century of Progress International Exposition of 1933-1934 may well have been tougher to pull off due to the Fantastic Depression.

Although there are hints of each events nevertheless present about the city, Chicago’s iconic flag design and style forever cements their value — two of its 4 red stars are devoted to the fairs (the fire of 1871 and Fort Dearborn represent the other two stars).

Just before we head into a lengthy, reflective weekend, here’s a appear back at when Chicago became the location for entertaining, new technologies, culture, a tiny sleaze and even a now-well-known serial killer.

Grow to be a Tribune subscriber: it is just $three for a 1-year digital subscription. Adhere to us on Instagram: @vintagetribune. And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AM’s “The Steve Cochran Show” for a appear at this week in Chicago history.

Thanks for reading!

— Kori Rumore, visual reporter

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The Columbian Exposition Administration Constructing was a 55,000 square-foot dome that held the offices of fair organizers. It was the initial creating fair goers probably saw just after they paid their entrance charge. (Chicago Tribune archive)

Chicago rose from the ashes of The Fantastic Fire of 1871 to host the 19th century’s greatest fair. See far more images right here.

With fair buildings as the background, officials for the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 pose for a group portrait. The architect Daniel Burnham stands third from left. (Chicago History Museum)

To several, New York was the clear option to host the World’s Fair, but Chicago — constantly the underdog — possessed one thing in this competitors that New York did not: grit and determination. Study far more right here.

The Agricultural Constructing of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. (International News)

Navigate amongst the buildings and attractions in what is right now Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. Study far more right here.

The H.H. Holmes “murder castle” in March 1937. The creating at 601-603 West 63rd Street was sold in 1938 and was razed to make way for an Englewood post workplace. The most important entrance is at 603 E. 63rd Street and housed a sign organization in 1937 exactly where Holmes had his drug shop. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

On the 130th year given that Daniel Burnham’s sweeping transformation of Chicago’s southern lakefront into the classical alabaster-columned “White City,” the tales of Holmes’ dealings right here, which includes his so-known as “Murder Castle” in the Englewood neighborhood, stay largely sensational tabloid fabrications. Study far more right here.

The cold storage plant at the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair, which held refrigerated meals for vendors, caught fire in July 1893, killing 16 firefighters who had been trapped by a collapsing tower. Editors note: this historic print has some hand painting on it. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Firefighters ascended a tower to get closer to the smokestack and extinguish the fire. As they fought the blaze, having said that, an additional fire broke out 70 feet beneath them, forming what the Tribune known as “a pit of fire.” Study far more right here.

The Sky Ride soars more than the lagoon amongst Northerly Island and the lakefront for the Century of Progress World’s Fair in 1933. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

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The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune’s archives featuring images and stories about the folks, areas and events that shape the city’s previous, present and future.

Technological innovation was the theme of the second World’s Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934. The title also reflected the city’s centennial and its spectacular development from a frontier settlement to an industrial metropolis. See far more images right here.

Mrs. Edward J. Kelly, wife of the mayor, from left, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. Henry W. Hardy, president of Federated Women’s organizations Mrs. Rufus C. Dawes, and Mrs. Carter Harrison, as distinguished guests are provided a driving tour of the fair grounds on Women’s Day at the Century of Progress World’s Fair in 1933. (Chicago Tribune historical photo )

In 1929, a group of socially prominent girls pledged to preserve the Chicago World’s Fair scheduled for 1933 from becoming an embarrassing dud. No 1 asked them to assume that burden. To the contrary, the males who planned it snubbed them. Study far more right here.

At Chicago’s second World’s Fair, A Century of Progress International Exposition, the most preferred attraction was fan dancer Sally Rand. Rand was perceived to be naked though dancing with ostrich feathers covering her physique. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

The fair’s management reasoned that, if regally clad young girls had been an attraction, these devoid of garments would be an even larger draw. Study far more right here.

Sunday crowds stroll previous the Living Babies in Incubators exhibit as effectively as an region featuring doughnuts and Maxwell Property Coffee on Aug. 26, 1934. The infant exhibit was the brainchild of Dr. Martin A. Couney, a pioneer in neonatology.

Of all the amazements accessible to guests to Chicago’s Century of Progress world’s fair that took location along our lakefront in 1933 and 1934 — Sally Rand and her is-she-naked? fan dancing legendarily amongst them — none was far more thoughts-boggling and profitable than what was inside 1 of the buildings on the midway with a sign, “so significant you’d have to be dead to miss it,” touting “Living Babies in Incubators.” Study far more right here.

The ‘Century Residences Property of Tomorrow,’ by architect George Fred Keck, was featured at the Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago 1933. The residence consists of quite a few stacked ‘drums,’ with glass-enclosed living quarters above and a ground floor airplane hanger beneath. (Hedrich-Blessing Collection)

An architectural wonder of Chicago’s 1933-34 World’s Fair may well be on its way to a brighter future — if, that is, somebody is prepared to devote practically $three million to restore it but not personal it. Study far more right here.

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Have an concept for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.